The context: Annecy in full confidence
FC Annecy did not win on Tuesday in Grenoble (0-0) and has still not won an Alpico since 2016 (2d, 7d) but the Haut-Savoyards emerged, certainly frustrated, but also strengthened from this derby where they mistreated their neighbor. “We had control, we played well collectively. We should have won this match but in content it was a good match on our part,” analyzes attacking midfielder Anthony Bermont.
With this draw, Annecy made a paradoxical operation with two places gained which allows it to now appear on the podium but two points lost in the red zone which still stands at eight points (Red Star). “We have 19 points, that’s as many as last season at the break,” recalls coach Laurent Guyot. A month and a half in advance that the FCA wants to continue to make profitable. “Let’s learn the lessons of the match against Grenoble to be more effective and put in a good performance again against Pau, a dangerous team,” continues the Haute-Savoie technician.
The opponent: Pau in the middle of a marathon
After a nice start to the season, Pau (10th) let go of the ballast during the last week where the Béarnais have already played three times (1n, 2d) including a heavy defeat this Tuesday at Troyes (3-0) which could have been even more severe without the two penalties saved by goalkeeper Bingourou Kamara.
The Palois complete their marathon of five matches in 14 days this Friday in Haute-Savoie (because of the postponed match against Bastia, 1-1). The state of freshness risks being one of the keys to the match in the face of the athletic intensity imposed by the FCA. Back from suspension, midfielder Antonin Bobichon, valuable in set-pieces, and striker Pathé Mboup could thus return to the starting lineup.
The number: 6
With six clean sheets in eleven days, including two in a row in the current series, Annecy goalkeeper Florian Escales is at the top of this ranking tied with Obed Nkambadio (Paris FC) while FCA “only” has the ninth defense in the League 2. A record spoiled by Annecy’s two defeats resulting in four goals conceded (Martigues and Lorient, 4-2 each time). The record for clean sheets over the last 20 L2 seasons is held by Vincent Demarconnay (Paris FC, 2018-19).
The sentence: “We have seen the team’s progress over the past three years”
François Lajugie, right back of FC Annecy: “We have seen the team’s progress over the past three years because we showed mastery (against Grenoble). We are more serene. When we see that we are not capable of winning, we tell ourselves that at least we will not lose. We knew how to stay solid and had the feeling of controlling the match. »
The group: Drouhin still absent, Pajot operational
Forfeited in Grenoble due to a calf injury, central defender Axel Drouhin will be absent again this Friday as will another central defender Ritchy Valme who is continuing his recovery phase after being injured in the meniscus. Midfielder Ibrahim Raache was also in an individualized session this week. In terms of returns, Guyot will once again be able to count on defensive midfielder Vincent Pajot who served his suspension against GF38 while striker Kapit Djoco will be there for the trip to Rodez on Friday November 8 (8 p.m.).
Senegal
